Approaches Flashcards
1
Q
Origins of Psychology- Wundt and Introspection- AO1
A
- Opened first psychological lab in Leipzig, Germany
- Introspection- first systematic attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into thoughts, images and sensations
- Standardised procedures- same order, same instructions
- Structuralism- isolating structure of consciousness
2
Q
Origins of Psychology- Wundt and Introspection- AO3
A
- Scientific +
Recorded in controlled environment, reducing extraneous variables
Procedures and instructions standardised so same info
Research=forerunner to behaviourist - Subjective data -
P’s self reporting mental processes
P’s may have hidden some thoughts
Difficult to establish meaningful laws which are useful to predict future behaviour
Efforts=flawed and don’t meet scientific criteria
3
Q
Origins of Psychology- Emergence of Psychology as a Science- AO1
A
- Science- acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation to discover general laws
- 1900’s Behaviourists
Introspection questioned by Watson
Subjective- scientific psychology should be observed objectively and measured - 1950’s Cognitive approach
Digital revolution=metaphor for studying mind
Linked mind to computer - 1980’s Biological approach
Advances in technology- investigate physiological processes
fMRI and EEG
4
Q
Origins of Psychology- Emergence of Psychology as a Science- AO3
A
- Modern psychology +
Psychology=same aims as natural sciences- describe, understand, predict and control behaviour
Approaches all rely on scientific methods=controlled and unbiased
20th century and beyond=scientific discipline - Subjective data -
Humanistic approach focuses on individual and subjective experience
Psychodynamic uses case studies that aren’t representative
Human beings=active p’s in research respond to demand characteristics
Scientific approach not desirable/possible
5
Q
The Behaviourist Approach- AO1
A
- Assumptions
Observable and measurable behaviour
Rejected introspection
Lab studies- control and objectivity - Classical conditioning- Pavlov
Learning through association
UCS~UCR
UCS+NS~UCR
CS~CR - Operant conditioning- Skinner
Learning through consequences
Positive reinforcement- reward- repeat behaviour
Negative reinforcement- take away something unpleasant- repeat behaviour
Punishment- unpleasant consequences- prevent behaviour
6
Q
The Behaviourist Approach- AO3
A
- Well-controlled research +
Measurement of observable behaviour in lab settings
Extraneous variables removed=cause and effect relationships established
Scientific credibility - Real-world application +
Operant=token economy systems- institutions like prisons and wards
Rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens that can be exchanged for privileges
Increase value as widespread application - Environmental determinism -
Skinner- everything we do=total of reinforcement history- our past conditioning determines outcomes
Ignores free will
Ignores conscious decision making processes
7
Q
Social Learning Theory- AO1
A
- Assumptions
People learn through observation and imitation of others
Occurs directly through CC and OP but also indirectly
Behaviourism + Cognitive - Vicarious reinforcement (Bandura- Bobo doll)
When you observe someone being rewarded for a behaviour and you imitate that behaviour to get the reward - Role of mediational processes
Attention- noticing behaviour
Retention- remembering behaviour
Motor reproduction- ability to perform behaviour
Motivation- will to perform behaviour - Identification
More likely to imitate people identify with=identification
Process of imitating a role model=modelling
Become role model if have attractive characteristics/high status
8
Q
Social Learning Theory- AO3
A
- Cognitive factors +
Neither CC or OC=account of learning on their own
We store info about behaviours of others and use this to make judgements about when appropriate to perform certain actions
SLT more comprehensive explanation of learning - Contrived lab studies -
Bandura’s ideas=observing young children’s behaviour in lab
May respond to demand characteristics
Bobo doll=supposed to strike it so children doing what was expected
Tells little of learnt aggression - Real-world application +
Explains cultural differences in behaviour
SLT principles explain how learn from those around you=how cultural norms transmitted through societies
Useful in understanding behaviours
Increases value of approach
9
Q
The Cognitive Approach- AO1
A
- Assumptions
Internal mental processes studied scientifically
Investigated memory, perception, thinking=private processes so have to make inferences - Role of schema
Mental framework of belief and expectations derived from experience
Helps to process lots of info quickly and avoid being overwhelmed by environment
May distort some interpretations - Theoretical and computer models
Theoretical=abstract
Information processing approach like multi store model of memory=based on way computers function
Computer=concrete
Programming computer to see if instructions produce output like humans- artificial intelligence - Emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Scientific study of influence of brain structures on mental processes
Broca-frontal lobe-speech production
Brain imaging techniques=observe and describe neurological basis of mental processes
Tulving- semantic+episodic=prefrontal cortex
10
Q
The Cognitive Approach- AO3
A
- Scientific methods +
Highly controlled so can infer cognitive processes
Lab studies=reliable, objective data
Cognitive neuroscience enhanced scientific basis of study
Study of mind=credible science basis - Real-world application +
Dominant approach applied to practical and theoretical contexts
Artificial intelligence/treatment of depression/eyewitnesses=cognitive
May revolutionise future
Supports value of cognitive approach - Machine reductionism -
Similarities between mind and computers
Computer analogy criticised- ignores influence of human emotion on cognitions and processing info
Memory affected by anxiety eg.
Weakens validity of approach
11
Q
The Biological Approach- AO1
A
- Assumptions
Must look to biological structures to understand behaviour
Everything psychological is biological - Neurochemical basis of behaviour
Actions of chemical in brain
Neurotransmitters- imbalances=mental illnesses - Genetic basis of behaviour
Twin studies- concordance rates- extent to which twins share characteristics
Identical=monozygotic=concordant
Non-identical=dizygotic=50% same genes - Genotype and phenotype
Particular set of genes
Way genes are expressed through characteristics
Nature and nurture - Evolution and behaviour
Darwin- natural selection=genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival will continue in generations
12
Q
The Biological Approach- AO3
A
- Real-world application +
Psychoactive drugs to treat mental disorders=increase understanding neurochemical processes
Antidepressants for depression- increase serotonin at synapses
Can manage depressive condition - Scientific methods +
Uses range of highly objective methods (fMRI+EEG)
Accurately measure physiological and neural processes not open to bias
Based on objective and reliable data - Biological determinism -
Human behaviour governed by internal, genetic causes
Phenotype influenced by environment
Purely genetic argument=issue when discussing crime- crime gene?
Too simplistic and ignores effect of environment
13
Q
The Psychodynamic Approach- AO1
A
- The role of the unconscious
Freud- most of mind made of unconscious=stores of drives and instincts influence behaviour
Includes repressed memories
Conscious=part of mind we know and are aware of
Preconscious=thoughts and memories can access if desired - Structure of personality
Id=devil- pleasure principle- unconscious selfish and aggressive instincts- from birth
Ego=mediator- reality principle- reduce conflict through defence mechanisms- age 2
Superego=angel- morality principle- represents ideal self- age 5/phallic stage - Psychosexual stages
Oral- 0-1
Anal- 1-3
Phallic- 3-6
Latency
Genital- puberty - Defence mechanisms
Unconscious strategies used by ego to manage conflict between id and superego
Repression
Displacement
Denial
14
Q
The Psychodynamic Approach- AO3
A
- Real-world application +
Freud=psychoanalysis- first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically
Helps clients by bringing repressed emotions into conscious so can deal with it
Forerunner to modern day therapies - Explanatory power +
Influence psychology and western contemporary thought
Key force in first part 20th century and explained wide range phenomena
Draws attention to experiences in childhood and later development - Untestable concepts -
Popper=falsification
Not open to empirical testing
Concepts occur at subconscious so cannot test
Subjective study of little Hans
15
Q
The Humanistic Approach- AO1
A
- Free will
Humans can make choices and behaviour/thoughts not determined by internal biological / external forces
Study of subjective experience=person-centred approach - Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Self-actualisation
Self-esteem
Love and belongingness
Safety needs
Physiological needs - Self-actualisation
Achieving full potential
Personal growth=develop and change as person to become fulfilled, satisfied and goal-oriented - The self, congruence and conditions of worth
Congruence=when self concept matches ideal self
Rogers- client centred therapy to reduce gap between self concept and ideal self
Issues in life result from childhood and unconditional positive regard from parents
